Open to the Public

The Santa Ana Mountains represent a microcosm of California’s natural world in one place. Astonishingly, one of the country’s most intense concentrations of wildlife survives within one of its most densely developed regions. Thanks to conservation efforts, residents and visitors to the region can continue to enjoy the full complement of the state’s resplendent landscapes.

Here is the largest coastal open space in southern California, some of its rarest woodlands, its most impressive grasslands, as well as extensive chaparral. The only year-round free-flowing river in the vicinity—the Santa Margarita—runs down the southern end of the mountains, and a steep-walled sandstone ravine reminds onlookers of a small-scale Grand Canyon.

Many species draw sustenance from these environments, including threatened songbirds such as the least Bell's vireo and the California gnatcatcher along with the San Diego coast horned lizard and the endangered San Diego fairy shrimp. Foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, red-tailed hawks, coastal cactus wrens and black-shouldered kites all reside in the varied terrain around the Santa Anas.

Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve

In 1983, Riverside County’s urban sprawl threatened to engulf southern California’s most spectacular native grasslands, unique Engelmann oak woodlands and the region’s last remaining vernal pools. The Nature Conservancy and its partners fought to preserve this space—known as the Santa Rosa Plateau—that is so abundant with native plants and animals. Today 10,000 acres have been conserved, and the 60,000 people who visit the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve each year can attest to its value to both wildlife and the human community.

Irvine Ranch Land Reserve

Through an unprecedented partnership with The Irvine Company, The Nature Conservancy developed a stewardship plan that would provide public access to more than 30,000 acres on the historic Irvine Ranch, while focusing on habitat management and restoration. Once restricted to cattle and ranchers, this expansive wilderness network composed of Orange County Parks, State Parks and city of Irvine open space lands touches both mountain and ocean and boasts the county’s most extensive areas of coastal sage scrub and oak and sycamore woodlands as well as the rare Tecate cypress, found only in three other areas of California, and streams lined with blackberries and monkeyflowers.

Wildlife Corridors

The Nature Conservancy is working to create two protected corridors in the Santa Ana Mountains. These corridors—increasingly crucial to wildlife as they are forced to adapt to habitat loss and climate change—benefit mountain lions and other species that require large ranges for long-term survival. Without the Tenaja Corridor, which links the Santa Rosa Plateau and the Cleveland National Forest, the Santa Rosa Plateau risks becoming an ecological island unable to sustain the long-term health of its native plants and animals.

Another corridor—connecting the Santa Ana Mountains through the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve to the Palomar Mountains and other protected areas in the greater Peninsular Ranges region—faces several existing and proposed challenges. The Conservancy is seeking solutions in this area that balance human needs with conservation values in a mutually beneficial relationship.

Discussion

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Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

The Nature Conservancy is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 53-0242652) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.